Reasons to Own a Machete and What to Look for When Buying One

by Tim White August 9, 2018

If you’re someone who frequently ventures into the wilderness, whether it’s for camping or hiking, then you probably need a tool that offers some cutting power. The most obvious choice for a lot of people is the knife, but not because it’s the best one, but because people forget to take into account other instruments, like the axe, or machete. In today’s blog post we will be talking about the exceptional tool that many people around the world have relied on for the longest time – the machete.

Some of the most common uses of a machete include hunting, fishing, farming, processing food, building, and cutting. If you’re looking to add one to your outdoor equipment or tool collection, you need to consider a couple of factors in order to ensure that you’ll get a quality model. First and foremost, when you look to buy machete, you need to consider the blade style, which can vary considerably depending on the intended use. In rural areas, different styles are known under different names and the subjective preference for one usually depends on the user’s experience and their culture. Some of the most popular machete styles include latin-style machetes, billhooks, kukri, cane machetes, bolo machetes, parang machetes, etc.

Next, consider the blade length. Machetes come with a very large range of blade lengths, typically ranging from 10-30 inches. The ones with smaller blades are more portable but have less reach. Long blades, on the other hand, are harder to carry and transport, but you can clear larger areas in less time with them. Besides the blade length, you should also consider the blade’s composition. The most commonly used blade materials are carbon and stainless steel. High carbon stainless steel blades combine the advantages of both carbon and stainless steel.

Furthermore, consider the tang of the machete. The tang is the part which extends into the grip and connects the handle and blade together. Generally, a full tang machete is the best choice, so that the blade and handle are safely secured together. The handle of the machete is another important factor to consider – they come in various shapes and sizes, and are made from different materials, just like the blades. Again, the ideal machete handle type and material will depend on how you intend to use the machete most. For instance, a quillion handle protects the hand from sliding off the handle and onto the blade. A knuckle guard handle, on the other hand, does the same while also protecting your knuckles.

Lastly, consider how much time and effort you’ll want to put into maintaining the machete. That being said, if you buy machete made of stainless steel, you’ll have an easier time cleaning and maintaining it than a carbon steel model. Similarly, plastic handles are easier to maintain when compared to wooden ones. This factor can really have an impact on your buying decision, so it’s definitely something you should decide on before making the purchase.